Rating: 
Summary: WHAT IS TRUTH?
Review: With great action and memorable characters, Akira Kurosawa's "RASHOMON" is perhaps the first and probably the best film ever to investigate the philosophy of truth and justice and the inherent conflict with our fallibly subjective attempts to be objective. Is this the first film to fully embrace relativism? Certainly somewhat existential and post modern in its central conceit, this exceptionally absorbing drama still resonates with a timely and provocative tale of the illusive nature of so-called Truth. Through an ingenious use of camera and flashbacks, Kurosawa reveals the seemingly paradoxical complexities of human nature as four people -- all witnesses to one degree or another -- recount different versions of the story of a man's murder and the rape of his wife. Toshiro Mifune gives another commanding performance in this eloquent masterwork that secured his international stardom. With a restored image and sound, this classic revolutionized film language and introduced Japanese cinema to a global audience. Loaded with extras, including a video introduction by Robert Altman and a brilliant commentary by Japanese film historian Donald Richie. Excerpts are also included from "The World of Kazuo Miyagawa," a documentary about Rashomon's incredible cinematographer. Even in the pantheon of our greatest filmmakers, Kurosawa stands apart as an intellectual and an artist. His best films have a shimmering beauty and a visceral impact while also engaging the mind. A rare feat. This 1950 masterpiece is an essential element of any serious digital library.
Rating: 
Summary: A Visual Delight...
Review: Criterion deserves praise for it's presentation of Kurosawa's "Rashomon." Kazuo Miyagawa's cinematography is incredible in it's use of camera movement, light, shadows, rain and wind effects. I enjoyed the bonus excerpts from Miyagawa's documentary. I was intrigued by the film's approach of story telling from 4 difference sources i.e. the Woodcuter (Takashi Shimura), the Bandit (Toshiro Mifune), the raped Wife (Machiko Kyo), and the dead Husband (Masayuki Mori) told thru a Medium. The viewer must play detective to piece together the "truth" of what has taken place. We learn from "Rashomon" is that we all have our own personal vision of "reality." In this study of human nature, the characters see what they want to believe. Donald Richie's expert commentary was essential in understaning the film's structure. Richie discusses the films use of visual triangles in portraying the three main characters (Mifune, Kyo, & Mori). It's a must-see film for anyone that appreciates great art.
Rating:
Summary: What is Truth?
Review: Kurosawa's study on the nature of truth, of reality, and human nature is perhaps one of the greatest films ever made. it is the story of a rape and a murder and that is all we ever know that occured during during the course of this movie. it tells the story from the perspectives of 4 sperate characters; a woodcutter, a bandit, a man, and his wife. they all have different stories and we are never told who is really telling the truth. Because this is a story about the bleakness of human nature, the evil tendencies we have. but there is redemption in the end. according to what i've been told and have read this is the first film to have a shot that's pointed directly into the sunlight and to use light reflectors to help light the actors. it also gained noteriety for its phenominal camera work. I highly recommend you buy this this is a great film toanyone who enjoys an engrossing experience.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: This is an excellent movie with lots of deep meaning. Intriguing and wonderful. The director is genius
Rating:
Summary: Please be careful in how you refer to the events in the film
Review: I can't stand it any longer! Am I watching the same film as everyone else here posting a review? Invariably the words "murder" and "rape" are being used in people's reviews to describe the main events in the story either as a premise or as undeniable facts in the case! We cannot reasonably make these assumptions. Even the back of the DVD propogates this mistake when it says "...the story of a man's murder and the rape of his wife". I suggest that we can NOT be sure that either of these crimes (as we commonly understand the terms) ever really happened. If we are to believe the deadman's story, then his death was by his own hands -- a suicide. And, if we are to believe the bandit's story, the supposed "rape" becomes very questionable, especially when you consider the almost loving embrace she gives to the newcomer (i.e., the bandit) and the contemptuous attitude she holds for her husband during one of the other versions of the story. I beg of you, be careful in how you refer to the events in this great, great film. The film questions truth ... please question your own (and shame on Criterion for allowing that unfortunate blurb to appear on the back of the DVD). Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Truth is elusive, reality subjective. A tale well told.
Review: I've heard about this 1950 Japanese film all my life and have even incorporated the word "Rashomon" into my vocabulary. It means that the truth is elusive and people will remember things with their own particular spin. When the film first came out it was nominated for an academy award and is still considered the masterpiece of the director Akira Kurosawa. Shot in black and white, the mood is set right at the beginning, as there's a rainstorm going on and a priest and a woodcutter are seeking shelter in an ancient temple. Both of them are troubled, as they have heard witnesses to a crime explain events that they just "don't understand". When a third man joins them, they tell their stories. Eventually the audience watches the reenactment of four different versions of the same incident. At the end, there is still confusion. The acting is done in classical Japanese style, which is more appropriate for a large auditorium than for a small screen. The actors shout, they roll their eyes, and every gesture is exaggerated. There's passion throughout and a great mythic theme. It seemed all to be set on a great stage. And the interesting part is that three out of the four people telling the story claim to be the killer. The cinematography is also special, using the rain as one realm of reality and harsh sunlight as another. The woods in which the crime takes place look hot and stifling, and the actors are all excellent. However, once the novelty of the setting and the dramatic elements of this stylized film wore off, I found myself restless. It was only 83 minutes long but it seemed much longer. I do applaud its art and its message. I therefore recommend it. However, I just can't help the fact that it didn't engage me completely.
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Summary: About the Criterion DVD
Review: RASHOMON, Kurosawa's classic existential masterpiece, is Japan's CITIZEN KANE. It offers some rather profound insights on the human condition while also being a technical and artistic tour de force. Like KANE, RASHOMON also uses a nonlinear, fragmented narrative to show the multiplicity and unfathomability of human nature. With an engaging murder mystery as its basis, RASHOMON should please film enthusiasts and novices alike. The restored video transfer on this Criterion DVD edition makes the film look as good as new. Blemishes that used to be on older video releases have been digitally cleaned up. Sharpness and contrast, while not spectacularly good, are excellent (to provide a point of reference, it looks much cleaner than Criterion's SEVEN SAMURAI DVD). The original Japanese mono soundtrack is rather hissy, however. A cleaner English dub track is included, but voice acting is sub-par (actually, in my opinion, terrible; in one instance, it is even out of synch with the action). The analytical audio commentary by Donald Richie is well-rounded, covering the themes, photography, acting, editing, and music of the film. The booklet includes English tranlations of the two short stories that inspired the film, and an excerpt from Kurosawa's autobiography that pertains to RASHOMON. In a 16-minute excerpt from a Japanese documentary about the film's cinematographer, various camera techniques used in the film are revealed. This DVD is encoded for Region 1 only. For those who keep track of things like this, Criterion has only made a handful of Region 1 DVDs, which include ARMAGEDDON, BRIEF ENCOUNTER, CHASING AMY, THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE, GIMME SHELTER, THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, HIGH AND LOW, KWAIDAN, NOTORIOUS, THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC, RASHOMON, THE ROCK, SAMURAI I, II, and III, SANJURO, SEVEN SAMURAI (second printing), THE SHOP ON MAIN STREET, THE VANISHING, and YOJIMBO.
Rating:
Summary: A milestone in the story of cinema in any age
Review: Rashomon is a masterpiece. This film shows us a hard statement that maybe disagree to many people; the truth doesn't exist. We see always fragments of it no matter how old you are.
Aesop in his fables states: in every man always there are three ; that who he thinks he is; what other people think he is and finally that one who really is. In that sense Goethe talked about four levels of the reality; lineal, literal, methaporical and finally the cosmic.
In what level are you when you assume the judgement about a fact?
Remember his beliefs are always relative; your ethical world depends about a lot of issues; such as your social status; your religion; your birthplace; your culture and even your age; so be careful when you say are in possesion of the absolute true.
And that's what the movie shows us; a terrible murder; five persons state about the fact ; and before you five different versions are given. So, the questions is; who of these persons is lying and who is true?
All of us have a sight blind; and because of this you may agree with some of these people; and your close friend or even your couple may be perfectly disagree with you.
The reasonable doubt is a very well konwn device employed by all the lawyers in their cases . Indeed, this term inspired to Sidney Lumet for making his opera prima "Twelve angry men" in 1957.
Back to Rashomon we find to Akira Kurosawa in one of his major achievements. The handle camera is superb; and this is the first film in the story where , by the first time the camera shows us the sun; a brilliant methapor and also a challenging aaproach by this master director.
Mesmerizing ; unforgettable ; you'll be shocked every time you watch. Remember what the woman says uin a sequence: "The men lie because they are weak".
And this point is remarkable, just because the fragile human condition; the human being always will keep his dignity, pride and a set of values above all the odds; and through this process, the truth is always put in a second place, by obvious reasons.
Heissenberg established the uncertain principle in 1930 and this review is far to explain about this issue, but what it deserves to call your attention at the time you say ; I found the truth; or even worst; I represent the truth.
This procedure is typical of dictatorial regimes; the state is me and other similar statements reveal a syntom of being out of the life and even the nature, a wise mind always thinks and acts; after rethinks and reacts; but never remains quiet.
Kurosawa adapted this film from a novel from the same title Rashomon from 1927 written by Yabu no Naka.
This film is a wonderful exploraton of truth and human weakness.
In fact this film is watched and analyzed in Post Grade School of Management, for purposes related with another goals.
This film was remade in 1964 as Outrage for Martin Ritt, where Paul Newman plays the role of Toshiro Mifune in the original version.
A true landmark. Don't miss it.
A superb classic!
Rating:
Summary: Please be careful in how you refer to the events in the film
Review: I can't stand it any longer! Am I watching the same film as everyone else here posting a review? Invariably the words "murder" and "rape" are being used in people's reviews to describe the main events in the story either as a premise or as undeniable facts in the case! We cannot reasonably make these assumptions. Even the back of the DVD propogates this mistake when it says "...the story of a man's murder and the rape of his wife". I suggest that we can NOT be sure that either of these crimes (as we commonly understand the terms) ever really happened. If we are to believe the deadman's story, then his death was by his own hands -- a suicide. And, if we are to believe the bandit's story, the supposed "rape" becomes very questionable, especially when you consider the almost loving embrace she gives to the newcomer (i.e., the bandit) and the contemptuous attitude she holds for her husband during one of the other versions of the story. I beg of you, be careful in how you refer to the events in this great, great film. The film questions truth ... please question your own (and shame on Criterion for allowing that unfortunate blurb to appear on the back of the DVD). Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Pardon me, N8rst8rs...?
Review: I am definitely one who endorses the belief of "to each his own" and your opinion is just that. But you obviously know nothing ABOUT film, you just know OF it. Maybe instead of writing a stupid and misinformed review for a film that doesn't deserve it, you shouldn't write one at all. It's punks like you who knock the average rating down, discouraging others from finding this priceless piece of celluloid. Raise your head a bit, and I'm sure you'll come eye-to-eye with your lower intestine.
One of the VERY FEW legitimate marvels of filmic expression ever borne, RASHOMON needs to be viewed at least once by every single person in the world... most especially lawyers.
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